Matt Berninger’s Webster Hall Performance in Photos

Last week, Matt Berninger took the Grand Ballroom stage at Webster Hall, performing songs from his two solo albums (Serpentine Prison and Get Sunk), his mothership band The National (“The Alcott”), and a cover of New Order‘s “Blue Monday.” The night was a communal affair, with Berninger dedicating songs to his bandmates and tour manager, and Scott Devendorf, Mike Brewer, and Walter Martin even joined him for renditions of “My Eyes Are T-Shirts,” “Little by Little,” and “Distant Axis.” The show happened on the night after Get Sunk‘s release.

Writing about Get Sunk, Tatiana Tenreyro says: “Matt Berninger is one of indie rock’s best songwriters, but for a while, he struggled to tap into the brilliance found in The National’s most acclaimed albums. Two of the band’s recent albums, First Two Pages of Frankenstein and I Am Easy to Find, were ultimately forgettable, nowhere near as stirring as the albums that turned The National into one of the most renowned indie acts of the 21st century. Perhaps the frontman needed a respite from the collaborative nature of his band, as his sophomore solo LP, Get Sunk, allows him to tap into some of his best work. Get Sunk is stunning and a triumphant breakthrough for Berninger as an artist. Two years ago, Berninger made the decision to trade Los Angeles for a quiet life in Connecticut, writing and arranging his latest offering in a barn turned into his creative base. The influence of this serene, isolated setting allows the record to capture the intimacy and candor that Berninger possessed during the early National days.”

She continued: “Here, Berninger is wistful, revisiting memories pre-fame and examining how these experiences shaped his life, from his summers staying on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Indiana, to loved ones he’s lost touch with. Tracks like ‘Bonnet Of Pins,’ ‘Frozen Oranges,’ and ‘Little By Little’ have those moody arrangements and compelling hooks akin to Alligator and Boxer, which make you want to nestle into the world of these songs. Berninger’s solo material doesn’t feel removed from The National, but creating something distinctive from the band doesn’t seem like the point. Instead, it’s about Berninger finding his creative voice again on his own terms.”

Our good pal Emilio Herce was on the scene at Webster Hall capturing the action. Check out his gallery below: